Rebels have high volleyball hopes

Wednesday

Sep 15, 2010 at 10:55 AM

Competing in SCISA's Region 1-AA this season gives Thomas Heyward's volleyball team something it hasn't had in a few years: hope.The Rebels expect to do well in the region and the goal is to reach the state tournament, something they haven't accomplished since 2005.So far Thomas Heyward is enjoying its new sense of optimism. The Rebels began the season with four wins in their first six games, including a 2-1 record in region matchups.Even though the Rebels feel confident, they know not to get too comfortable. "We are not going to be like, 'Since we are in a different region now everything will be easier,' " sophomore Kayla Sanders said. "We can't get a big head."The Rebels lost their first region (against First Baptist), but recently swept region foes Charleston Collegiate and Beaufort Academy.Coach Leanne Eddy recently switched to a 6-2 set and Sanders and junior Andrea Daring think the move has sparked the team.Daring began the year as a setter, but with the new formation she also hits (along with setter/hitter Ashlie Layman) and she's enjoying the sport much more."When (Coach Eddy) told me (at the start of the year) I was going to be setting, I was kind of disappointed because there's something I love about hitting," Daring said. "Now that I'm hitting and setting, it's win-win."Sanders has been a "sparkplug" according to Eddy.Her primary responsibility is defense and she's constantly in the back row, encouraging the Rebels with lesser experience. Sanders has played volleyball since sixth grade.Eddy has been surprised at Sanders' leadership."Last year she rode the wave, this year she is the one I look to," said Eddy, noting Sanders' ability to serve and limit errors.Sanders said she decided before the season to be more vocal."I told myself I have my heart in it," she said. "I feel like I'm more in it this year, I want it more."The transition to 6-2 hasn't been completely smooth. Daring said sometimes players run into each other and the rotations can be confusing, but she and Sanders believes the system gives the team the best chance to win.Eddy, who noted the strong play of Macala Bernard ("a great coach's player"), understands sometimes "things look a little chaotic," but each game is a challenge to improve.Eddy has high expectations. Reaching the state tournament is one, but advancing far in the tournament is the main goal.After a lackluster practice last week, Eddy asked the players if she was asking too much of them, if the expectations are too high.She was encouraged by the team's response."They were surprised I was feeling that way, because they are in it to win it," Eddy said.

Competing in SCISA's Region 1-AA this season gives Thomas Heyward's volleyball team something it hasn't had in a few years: hope.The Rebels expect to do well in the region and the goal is to reach the state tournament, something they haven't accomplished since 2005.So far Thomas Heyward is enjoying its new sense of optimism. The Rebels began the season with four wins in their first six games, including a 2-1 record in region matchups.Even though the Rebels feel confident, they know not to get too comfortable. "We are not going to be like, 'Since we are in a different region now everything will be easier,' " sophomore Kayla Sanders said. "We can't get a big head."The Rebels lost their first region (against First Baptist), but recently swept region foes Charleston Collegiate and Beaufort Academy.Coach Leanne Eddy recently switched to a 6-2 set and Sanders and junior Andrea Daring think the move has sparked the team.Daring began the year as a setter, but with the new formation she also hits (along with setter/hitter Ashlie Layman) and she's enjoying the sport much more."When (Coach Eddy) told me (at the start of the year) I was going to be setting, I was kind of disappointed because there's something I love about hitting," Daring said. "Now that I'm hitting and setting, it's win-win."Sanders has been a "sparkplug" according to Eddy.Her primary responsibility is defense and she's constantly in the back row, encouraging the Rebels with lesser experience. Sanders has played volleyball since sixth grade.Eddy has been surprised at Sanders' leadership."Last year she rode the wave, this year she is the one I look to," said Eddy, noting Sanders' ability to serve and limit errors.Sanders said she decided before the season to be more vocal."I told myself I have my heart in it," she said. "I feel like I'm more in it this year, I want it more."The transition to 6-2 hasn't been completely smooth. Daring said sometimes players run into each other and the rotations can be confusing, but she and Sanders believes the system gives the team the best chance to win.Eddy, who noted the strong play of Macala Bernard ("a great coach's player"), understands sometimes "things look a little chaotic," but each game is a challenge to improve.Eddy has high expectations. Reaching the state tournament is one, but advancing far in the tournament is the main goal.After a lackluster practice last week, Eddy asked the players if she was asking too much of them, if the expectations are too high.She was encouraged by the team's response."They were surprised I was feeling that way, because they are in it to win it," Eddy said.

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